‘A great man and a true friend of animals’: Bill Oddie remembered for lifetime of campaigning

Wildlife presenter, comedian and conservationist Bill Oddie has been remembered as “a great man and a true friend of animals” following his death at the age of 85.

The much-loved broadcaster, who entertained millions as a member of comedy trio The Goodies before becoming one of Britain’s best-known naturalists, died on Saturday, July 25.

While generations knew him from programmes including Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Birding with Bill Oddie, those who campaigned alongside him have paid tribute to the determined activist who used his fame to fight cruelty and protect wildlife.

Oddie was one of the founders of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and played a pivotal role in building the cross-party political support that has remained at the heart of its work.

He joined the campaign’s inaugural demonstration outside the Botswana High Commission after the country announced plans to lift its ban on elephant hunting.

Oddie later helped bring politicians from across the political divide together at the campaign’s first event in Parliament, where MPs were invited to pledge their support for an end to trophy hunting.

Eduardo Gonçalves, founder of the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting and a former chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said he was devastated by the loss of his friend.

He said: “Bill and I worked closely together when I was chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports and he was its president.

“He then helped me found the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. We held a protest outside the Botswana High Commission when it was announced that the country would be lifting its ban on elephant hunting.

“We also organised an event in Parliament where we asked MPs to sign up as supporters. It was incredibly successful and helped us secure backing from across the political spectrum.

“From the very beginning, Bill helped lay the foundations of our campaign. He was a great man and a true friend of animals. He will be very greatly missed.”

Behind Oddie’s fierce commitment to wildlife was the humour and spontaneity that had first made him a household name.

Gonçalves recalled accompanying him to give a talk at Wickham Festival, only for Oddie, an accomplished musician and songwriter, to end up singing on stage with the headline act.

He also remembered visiting Oddie at home after painful knee problems had forced the broadcaster to withdraw from much of public life.

“A visit to Bill’s house was always eventful,” Gonçalves said. “He was particularly proud of the statue of Cecil the lion in his front garden.”

Cecil became a global symbol of the cruelty of trophy hunting after the much-loved lion was killed by an American trophy hunter in Zimbabwe in 2015.

Oddie also spoke candidly about his experiences of depression and bipolar disorder. Gonçalves said he had been a “wonderful interviewee” on his podcast, where the broadcaster talked openly and movingly about his mental health struggles.

Born in Rochdale in 1941 and raised in Birmingham, Oddie found fame alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden in The Goodies, the surreal comedy series which became one of television’s biggest hits during the 1970s.

But his lifelong fascination with birds eventually led to an equally successful career as a wildlife presenter, writer and conservationist. His enthusiasm and extraordinary knowledge helped introduce millions of viewers to the wildlife living in Britain’s gardens, woodlands and countryside. He was appointed an OBE for services to wildlife conservation in 2003.

The RSPCA, where Oddie formerly served as a vice-president, said nature had lost one of its “best friends, fiercest champions and most iconic defenders”.

Jo Rowland, chief executive of the charity, said: “While his comedy, music and, of course, work with The Goodies delighted so many, his tireless commitment to British wildlife will define so much of his extraordinary life.

“Bill was an exceptional and steadfast champion for the natural world, whose passion for birds and wildlife was truly infectious.

“He campaigned tirelessly alongside his many friends at the RSPCA, including taking the fight to governments against plans to cull badgers.

“I know many of our wildlife rescuers were inspired into animal welfare by Bill’s groundbreaking broadcasting work and incredible knowledge of British birds, which brought the wonders of nature into millions of homes across the country.”

She added: “Our thoughts are with his family, friends and the countless people he inspired to spend time birdwatching, to cherish nature and to build a kinder world for animals.”

Oddie is survived by his wife Laura and daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie. His family has asked for privacy.